40 Years of Edmond History Museum

The Edmond History Museum made history in January, celebrating its own 40th birthday! What started with a small group of volunteers has grown into a successful institution, creating award-winning exhibits and programs, achieving record attendance numbers in 2024, and housing 43,000 artifacts!
The idea for the museum was born in 1983, as citizens began to anticipate Edmond’s centennial year of 1989. They desired to save Edmond’s pioneer history before too many generations passed and the stories disappeared. The original intent was to foster an understanding and appreciation of Edmond history and to save “items of historical consequence.”
In April 1984, volunteer Quimby Enterline began coordinating the efforts of the newly-formed Edmond Historical Society, and in 1985, the museum officially opened in one room of the original Armory building. The National Guard had operated in the building from 1936 to 1972, but after a new Armory was built on Bryant, the City of Edmond allowed various community-based non-profits to work in the space.
Operated by a very dedicated group of volunteers, the museum grew and improved. In 1988, an additional room was renovated for displays, just in time for Edmond’s 100th Anniversary. Through the 1990s, the museum gained its first computer, added the genealogy library, and eventually expanded into the entire Armory. In 1991, the Armory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the first employee, Brenda Granger, was hired as director in 1994.
“I remember entering the big room for the first time, which was totally empty except for a large stage, which took up the north side of the room,” said Granger. “I thought it really had great potential for telling the story of Edmond, its founding, history and people. I told my dad I had a big job ahead of me!” For the next 10 years, Granger successfully led the museum’s development by gaining financial donors and adding staff. She was assisted by a long list of people, who created the gallery’s footprint and built a foundation of professionalism.
Curator Derek Lee, the museum’s longest-serving employee, was hired in 2013. He crossed paths with many of the museum’s founders. “I’m glad I started when I did, because I got to meet Quimby and many of the early volunteers who cared passionately about saving Edmond’s history,” said Lee. “They clearly had faith in the museum concept and the patience to let it grow over time.”
Lee has witnessed many changes in the last decade. When he was hired, the gallery still had displays up from the 1990s, which he updated. The building underwent renovations to remove asbestos, improve lighting, and reorganize storage areas. Artifact donations expanded to include modern topics, and in the course of answering hundreds of research requests, Lee’s historical files are increasingly robust.
“After every exhibit, related artifacts surface,” said Lee. “Most recently it’s been wedding dresses, radios, and memorabilia from Edmond High School. I think I’ve gotten better at capturing those items’ stories and then digitizing the information.”
As the museum launches into its next decade, Lee hopes to make more of Edmond’s history available online, accessible by everyone. Granger, who watches from the sidelines as the Director of the Oklahoma Museum Association, is proud to see her once-empty Armory fulfilling its purpose, fostering an appreciation of Edmond’s history. “It’s grown beyond my wildest dreams,” said Granger.
Visit EdmondHistory.org for further information.